Build your own snowman to toast December snowfall

This past week, ski area employees were scrambling to put together a “Big Snow Bash” weekend for Jan. 21-23, with events commemorating the 209-inch December snowfall that broke records for the snowiest month on record.

It will start with the construction of 209-inch (17.4 feet) snowmen, situated at Main Lodge, Canyon Lodge, Little Eagle Lodge and at the Mill Café at the base of Chair 2/Stump Alley Express, according the ski area spokesman Dan Hansen.

He said visitors then will compete by building their own snowmen around the huge 17-footers, creating a “snowman village” at each of the four sites, with prizes for the best snowman.

“I think it’s really hard for people to grasp just how much snow we got,” Hansen said.

In the meanwhile, the ski area is printing thousands of commemorative shirts celebrating the record month.

Apres ski parties also will be part of it, with Mammoth Mountain’s mixologists creating special cocktails and drinks, all carrying the theme.

The topper will come Saturday night with a Big Snow Bash party at Hyde.

This is the third big party that Mammoth Mountain has thrown this year.

The first one was on Opening Weekend, when it spread parties and music throughout the ski area as well as in the Village. The second was the “Night of Lights” in December.